School Districts Face Another Tough Budget

ATLANTA- Schools across Georgia are bracing for another tough year financially as federal stimulus money dries up and state dollars remain scarce.

Education experts say despite Gov. Nathan Deal’s pledge to end furloughs for teachers during his first State of the State address, school districts likely will have to turn to unpaid days off to cope with cuts.

For cash-strapped districts, Deal’s budget proposal released this week was a harsh dose of reality with $747 million in possible cuts to programs like school nurses, student busing and other programs.

The state faces a $1 billion budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year. The Republican-controlled Legislature must approve Deal’s spending blueprint and will almost certainly make changes during the 40-day legislative session.